JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – As new details and allegations continue to emerge regarding the extramarital affair of Gov. Eric Greitens, more names continue to also emerge.

One of the most recent names thrown into the mix is that of Roy Temple, the former chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party.

Temple has been cited as a source for some of the recent information that has made headlines, reportedly having met with the woman’s former husband in 2016, most likely for opposition research on his party’s opponent in the 2016 election.

Temple has stated that the man told him then that Greitens had threatened his now-ex-wife, but was not willing to go on the record with the claims because of their children.

A report by Talking Points Memo issued on Thursday named Temple as one of the sources for the husband’s claims that Greitens had allegedly slapped the woman against her will after she told Greitens that she had slept with her husband.

That claim was denied by Greitens’ attorney, who called the report a “political hit piece.”

“We have been asked repeatedly by reputable news outlets why we believe this nearly three-year-old news story is coming out now. The latest reporting has finally disclosed that the reporting was being driven by a ‘source’ who is the former Democrat state party chairman and who apparently has not spoken to the person in question. This goes a long way to explaining what is going on – this is a political hit piece,” attorney Jim Bennett of Dowd Bennett said. “This is and remains an almost three-year-old private matter with no matter of public interest at stake. Eric and Sheena have worked through those issues long ago and I think that Sheena put it best: ‘We have a loving marriage and an awesome family; anything beyond that is between us and God. I want the media and those who wish to peddle gossip to stay away from me and my children.’ Now we know who has been peddling that gossip.”

Following that statement, Temple posted a lengthy response on Facebook, saying he had been aware of all of the allegations that have come out since Wednesday night back in 2016. But he said he never released the details because he had “made a commitment to someone” saying he wouldn’t do so without their permission.

“With that said, the basic fact of a Greitens affair was fairly widely known,” Temple said. “This story is coming to light because of a welcome shift in the terms of how these matters are being discussed publicly, not because of me or the fact that I happen to be a Democrat.”

“Some may question the choices I have made in this matter. I can only say that I have tried to make the best choice available to me at the time that I was making it. I don’t believe the same can be said for the Governor.”

Benjamin Peters is a reporter for the Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine, and also produces the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined the Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield. To contact Benjamin, email benjamin@themissouritimes.com or follow him on Twitter @BenjaminDPeters.

Benjamin Peters is a reporter for the Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine, and also produces the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined the Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield. To contact Benjamin, email benjamin@themissouritimes.com or follow him on Twitter @BenjaminDPeters.